The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1887-11-16
{ ESTABLISHED 1850.
I ]. II. EsTILL, Editor and Proprietor.
SHERIDAN ON THE ARMY.
HE THINKS IT SHOULD BE MADE
5000 STRONGER.

9423e Men and 2,2oo officers Now on
the Roster-Opening Up of a Portion
of Oklahoma Recommended - The
Discipline of the Army Good-The
State Militia.
WASHINGTON, Nov 15.-Iieut Gen.
Sheridan has presented his annual report to
the Secretary of War. AT the date of the
last consolidated returns the army consisted
of 200 officers and "A, 256 men, including
Indian scouts. The Lieutenant General
briefly sums up the condition of the various
divisions of the army, and of the division of
Missouri says that while it has been free
from Indian hostilities of any magnitude
many operations of minor nature have
been rendered necessary. Troops have
been continually occupied in patroling the
Oklahoma country, and have been success
full in keeping intruders out Of that region.
MUST BE OPENED SOON.
The gradual spread of railroads through
out the Territory can, however, ultimately
have but one effect, and Gen Sheridan is
now of the opinion that Congress may well
consider the advisability of opening up pors
tions, at least, of this country to settlement.
Gen. Sheridan expresses regret that the
very rapid decrease in the number of deser
tions from the army during the previous
two wears has not been continued. The in
crease is, however, very slight, being
only about one-half of per cent. more than
last year. The recruiting service, it is
said, has been properly conducted during
the year and an increased number of men
of GOOD standing has been obtained. The
discipline of the army is good and almost
all the officers and men seem to be animated
with a spirit of obedience to the law.
IMPROVEMENT IN FIRING.
The Improvement made by the army in
rife practice is highly commended. Gen.
Sheridan renews his previous recommended
ton touching the increase of the army by
5000 men, and perfecting the organization
OF the infantry arm by the addition of two
majors and two companies to each regi-
ment. Relative to the revision of the tao
tics, it is said: "The great advance in the
material of war has also occS stoned vital
changes in the manner of handling men in
action, and our tactics are therefore no
longer well adapted to the present condi-
tions For these reasons it is my intention
to assemble at an early day board of Off
GERS to consider this subject"
A measure which would most promote the
efficiency of the service, the General says.
would be the passage of a law authorizing
the immediate retirement of those officers,
about eighty in number, in whose cases
such action has already been recommended
by military boards, or who have for some
time been absent on account of sickness
from their commands, with but little pros
pect of ultimate recovery.
BETTER SMALL ARMS NEEDED.
Attention is called to the needs of the
army in the matter gf improved small arms,
and Gen. Sheridan urges the adoption of
measures to secure at an early day the best
form of magazine rife for army use. Gen.
Sheridan concludes the report as follows:
Il am strongly in favor of the general gov
ernment extending all possible aid to the
National Guards of the different States as
they constitute body of troops that in any
great emergency would form an important
part of our military force. They should be
armed with the best weapons, amply pro-
vided with complete camp and garrison
equipage, and instructed in various drills
and exercises according to the tactics and
systems followed in the regular army
According to my observation and expert
ence most of the State troops
now march well and handle the gun
well, but they are deficient in discipline and
all the duties that teach a soldier to take
care of himself while in camp or upon the
march. This defect can best be overcome
by establishing some system of encourage
ment under the control and direction and
at the entire expense of the general govern
inent. In the development of such
measure the entire army as well as myself
personally, will be glad to render such as
sistance as lies in our power and | recon-
mend that favorable consideration of the
subject NAV be commended to Congress- -